A blog of the Greater Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA
The name of this blog is taken from the preamble of the Charter of the United Nations (1945):
"We the Peoples of the United Nations, Determined...
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small...."

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Join the Friendship Walk on September 24th

Photo Credit: Patty Mooney

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14907688

OKC Friendship Walk will Nurture Our

Culture of Peace, Celebrate Diversity

Saturday, September 24th -- 2pmat Oklahoma City's Myriad Gardens

The first UNA-OKC Friendship Walk will be on Saturday, September 24th, 2pm, at the Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City. The walk will be a part of the Turkish Festival, and it will demonstrate the rich diversity of Oklahoma's communities as well as our commitment to building a culture of peace and friendship. It will commemorate the International Day of Peace (9/21) as proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

After the Peace Walk, enjoy some yummy Turkish cuisine.

Everyone is invited to participate. There is no charge for admission to the festival. The only requirement is for walkers to maintain a positive attitude and a peaceful demeanor. Flags, signs, and banners are welcome, as well as expressions of support for the sustainable development of our planet in a global culture of peace.

The Turkish Food and Art Festival is one of Oklahoma's premier international festivals. It will open at 10am. The festival features an inviting mix of authentic Turkish food as well as demonstrations of Water Marbling (Ebru) Art, Turkish Ceramic Arts, Calligraphy, and Henna Art. Will you be able to purchase some delicious baklava? Yes, of course, you will. It is the Turkish Festival, after all!

At 2pm, the Friendship Walk will take place. It will be introduced by Sinead Maguina, president of the OKC Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA. A welcome message will be delivered by Maureen Heffernan, Executive Director of the Myriad Gardens Foundation. Additional remarks will be offered by Kuaybe Basturk of the Interfaith Dialog Institute and Aamr Hasanjee of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The 7th Annual Turkish Food and Art Festival at the Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City will feature festivities such as whirling dervishes, arts, crafts and Turkish cuisine.

The walk will follow a path around the perimeter of the Myriad Gardens. Walkers will be accompanied by flutes and drums.

Walkers are invited to bring signs and banners expressing support for peace, freedom, human rights, and international solidarity. (Please no partisan messages). The organizers welcome and encourage the participation of school groups, faith communities, national heritage associations, and organizations supporting the values expressed in the United Nations Charter -- peace, tolerance, equal rights, and the social advancement of all peoples.

The walk is being planned to coincide closely with the International Day of Peace (as proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations).

Sponsors of the Friendship Walk include the United Nations Association, the Raindrop Turkish House, the Respect Diversity Foundation, and other community-based organizations.

About the Myriad Gardens

The Myriad Botanical Gardens are located at 301 W. Reno Avenue in Oklahoma City. The Myriad Gardens is one of the metro’s most beloved public spaces, offering its visitors a 17-acre natural escape in the very heart of downtown OKC.